Scherzer wins 9th in a row, Tigers beat Royals

Scherzer became the first Tigers starter to begin the season 9-0 since Vern Kennedy in 1938 by pitching seven sharp innings.

He limited the Royals to three hits and two runs, while striking out six and walking two.

Aaron Crow (2-2), who was a college teammate of Scherzer’s at Missouri, took the loss after pitching out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh.

Crow hit Miguel Cabrera with a pitch to start the eighth. Cabrera advanced to third on Prince Fielder’s single to right on a full count and scored on Victor Martinez’s sacrifice fly to left. That was the first run allowed by the Kansas City bullpen in 21 innings.

Jose Valverde struggled in the ninth inning for his ninth save in 11 opportunities.

Salvador Perez led off with a single and Elliot Johnson ran for him and stole second on the first pitch.

Valverde struck out Billy Butler looking on a full-count pitch. Butler was ejected by plate umpire Jordan Baker for arguing the call. Valverde then retired Lorenzo Cain on an infield popup and David Lough on a grounder to preserve the victory.

Wade Davis, who is 1-5 in his past 10 starts, departed in eh seventh after giving up Omar Infante’s third hit. Davis permitted two runs on eight hits, while striking out five and walking one.

Tim Collins replaced Davis and allowed an 0-2 single to pinch hitter Avisail Garcia and walked Matt Tuiasosopo on five pitches to load the bases.

Crow was summoned to face Torii Hunter and struck him out on four pitches to end the inning.

Don Kelly’s single in the second scored Martinez with the first Detroit run. Infante scored on Andy Dirks’ fielder’s choice ground out in the fifth.

Lough homered, his first in the majors, off Scherzer (9-0) to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Alcides Escobar singled home Mike Moustakas with the second run of the inning to tie the score at 2-all.

NOTES: OF Austin Jackson went 1 for 3 with a strikeout and an RBI and played five innings in center field in his second rehab game with Triple-A Toledo. Jackson is on the disabled list with a pulled left hamstring, but could be activated Friday. “We have to make sure he’s ready to hit up here,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. “We’ll have to see where his timing is. Hopefully he’ll have no issues physically.” . The Royals signed LHP Cody Reed, their second-round pick, for $1.19 million. Reed was 8-3 with a 2.39 ERA with Northwest Mississippi Juco. . Royals RHP James Shields, who starts Wednesday, is winless in seven starts since an April 30 victory over Tampa Bay. . Royals RHP Felipe Paulino, who had reconstructive elbow surgery last year, threw five scoreless innings and allowed two hits Tuesday in his first minor league rehab start. He was 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA in seven starts last season with Kansas City before the injury.